Reading with Carlie

I recently stumbled across this fun read about publicity stunt turned true love. Pop sensation Oakley Ford is suffering from writer's block as he works on his latest album when his manager cooks up a scheme to rehabilitate his tarnished image - date a "regular" girl for a year. Enter recently orphaned Vaughn Bennett, who agrees to publicly date Oakley in order to make some money to help her family. Naturally, Oakley and Vaughn can't stand each other at first and of course they eventually fall in love. If you are looking for a quick beach read, this one is cute with a happy ending. 4/5

I love a book with a twist and this novel does not disappoint in that department!  Single mother Louise shares a kiss with David one night before finding out he is actually her new, very married boss when she heads to work in the morning. Soon after this revelation, she strikes up an uneasy friendship with Adele, David's wife. The book is told from both Louise and Adele's perspectives as Louise is drawn into some serious marital drama. This book asks you to suspend your disbelief a bit, as Louise discovers some interesting side effects to the advice Adele gives her on how to stop her debilitating nightmares. But, if you are willing to think outside the box, the twist at the end is jaw-dropping. 4/5

You've probably seen this book everywhere lately, but it lives up to the hype! Single mother Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl move into the planned community of Shaker Heights. While Pearl falls in love with the Richardson family and their suburban, middle-class normalcy, Mia finds herself at odds with the matriarch of the family due to a local custody dispute for a young Chinese-American girl. Everyone's got an opinion on who should raise the baby and tensions boil over in surprising ways. This book is very well-written and offers a nuanced look at the mother-daughter bond. 5/5

This delightfully funny book follows Kate Pearson as she attempts to navigate the professional world following a nasty break-up. Tired of watching Kate wallow on the couch, her sister finds her a job in the world of NYC private school admissions. This book is hilarious and charming and fantastic for those of us still learning to roll with the punches. Favorite book I've read all year! 5/5